Performance: Performance was excellent. Speed was tops for productivity and Web-based tasks such as word processing, Web browsing, and online game play. You'll have performance room to grow.
Portability: This Chromebook is an excellent choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 13.25 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 10.25 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results were notably longer than many similar Chromebooks, under a workload of mixed use. In heavier loads, the battery lasted longer than expected, so you're less likely to need a charge as you run more performance intensive tasks. At 2.9 lbs, weight was typical for a Chromebook this size and light enough to carry for long periods of time.
Ergonomics: The keyboard and case were well-designed, making it comfortable and convenient to use. The keyboard has large keys and was comfortably sized. Its low contrast letters were difficult to read, although the backlighting can be useful in dark rooms. The power button was well-labeled and conveniently located. The touchpad was among the largest of those tested, and provides ample space for different touch gestures.
Display: The display quality was excellent overall. Colors were near-accurate and mostly realistic and natural looking. The display was brighter than most and it's anti-reflective, a plus for viewing in a brightly lit room or outdoors. The display has a wide viewing angle, especially important if more than one person needs to see the screen at a time, say, for a video or presentation. Its display produces a wider array of colors than on most other tested Chromebooks.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: Its storage space of 128GB is larger than most other Chromebooks, good for storing local backup files. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and DVD players using USB 4 for maximum performance. This Chromebook has a full-size HDMI port and supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to an HDTV or monitor. The power supply and chassis are lighter than the average weight of a chromebook and power supply. This model still has most of its lifespan remaining during which Google will continue to update the OS.
Downsides: At about 6.7 ft length, the power cable is shorter than most others, so you'd need to be mindful of power outlet locations.
